Tentation troublante

What to say about this typically schlocky made for TV soap opera/movie? Most of the way through this is simply bad. I'll give Alexandra Paul (who?) credit for being a pretty sexy preacher's wife as Emily Wendell, whose husband Ted is the pastor of some large Community Church and who is so totally obsessed with his ministry that he apparently doesn't notice that he has a pretty sexy wife! Actually the best line of the movie belongs to Ted (J.C. Mackenzie - I know, another "who?") when he says to Emily "I am the church. This is just a building the Lord put me in." Speaking as a pastor myself, I howled at that one.

Anyway, the movie moves along at a frenetic pace with the plot not really being very well developed, but as far as it goes, Emily falls for a young, mysterious drifter (Luke, played by Corey Sevier) who appears out of nowhere and sweeps her off her feet. The interplay between Ted, Emily and Luke makes clear that the movie is at least well named, as one lie follows another until the story is so absolutely confusing that you almost give up. Then comes the last and perhaps unintentionally hilarious scene in the church, as Emily confronts Ted about his lies in front of the congregation and a live television audience. Until then I thought this movie might get a 2 or 3, but the end is really so funny that I have to raise this to a 5.

When the pastor's wife enters a passionate relationship with an ex-con we know we're on Planet Soap.

Expect lots of suds, sobs and unexpected tears accompanied by hysterical howls of laughter.

While celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary, still attractive Alexandra Paul (as Emily) notices an incredibly handsome young man is watching her outdoor party. Naturally, the solution to this problem is to invite sexy Corey Sevier (as Luke McElroy) to dinner. Although it initially startles Ms. Paul, preacher husband and aspiring televangelist J.C. MacKenzie (as Ted Wendell) hires Mr. Sevier as their handyman. Yes, he will come in handy. The muscular hunk moves onto the estate and pretends to read Shakespeare. We know who's going to copulate with Sevier when the lady of the house walks in on him shirtless. Sevier oozes sex appeal and washboard abs. Of course, this complicates Paul's "church lady" image and could ruin Mr. MacKenzie's religious career...

This "Lifetime" TV movie follows the well-worn "forbidden sex" theme mixed with religion formula. "Gospel of Deceit" is an unabashed "bad boy" sex fantasy for married women, and it certainly works on that level, with Sevier effortlessly bringing home the bacon. He looks good in and out of his shirt, and even gets to show a little cheek. Paul shows her skin, too, with a psychotic nude "sheet" scene that lowers performance levels. The story is ridiculous, but director Timothy Bond and his team do move it along quickly, taking advantage of each soap opera-type development without letting anything drag it down. The silliness gets worse as the plot get so tangled it becomes laughable. Writer John Benjamin Martin was astute in having Sevier think "Hamlet" was a comedy.

**** Gospel of Deceit (4/28/06) Timothy Bond ~ Alexandra Paul, J.C. MacKenzie, Corey Sevier, Zoie Palmer

To be honest, what initially got my attention was how smoking hot Luke was with his bad boy, Colin Farrell look. Then after a while with all the twists and turns, this movie kept getting better and better. It held my interest all the way through and is really good for a Lifetime movie...hence, the 10 rating.

I truly felt for Emily, the minister's wife. She had tried so hard to forget her past just to have it used against her. I found the actress's portrayal of the character to be quite good as well.

Some Lifetime movies are very predictable, but this one was not. There were twists I didn't see coming at all and no boring moments. I would highly recommend this movie.

Rob McElhenny look-alike Corey Sevier delivers, over and over, absurd twists, turns, and surprises.

Alexandra Paul is the Queen of Lifetime, and this movie earned her the crown.

Is it a GOOD movie? I suppose not, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. But it is original for sure. And hilarious.